Brightening Up the Bistro

Bistro 27 has a brand new bag, or at least a brand new chef. Danial Oakes, a Johnson & Wales University graduate, and formerly of The Rogue Gentlemen and Heritage here in Richmond, has revamped the menu at this decade-old downtown mainstay.

“I have been going from restaurant to restaurant for the past five years in Richmond," Oakes says. "I was at Six Burner under Philip Denny, Rogue [after] Aaron Hoskins was there. I worked at Fat Canary in Williamsburg and really got a feel for how fresh ingredients should be used. That kitchen really used the freshest of ingredients. And of course, having a cheese shop next door is awesome.”

Oakes brought his sous chef, Brandon Grimm, with him and will be serving a southern-European-focused menu. He wants it to center around quality, technique and execution, adding Spanish element's to the Bistro's French cuisine.

“We will be doing things a little different [than Bistro 27]. It will be very accessible to the public,” Oakes says. “The entrees will be in the low to mid $20 [range] and appetizers in the $10 [range]. This was an easy transition. I just contacted William [owner of Bistro 27] and it went from there.”

Bistro 27's alcohol program will be getting a revamp as well; a new bar staff and wine-focused menu currently fill the space, with a cocktail program set to arrive further down the road. The restaurant will start dinner service at 5 p.m. on weekdays and offer brunch on Sunday.

Bistro 27 is located at 27 W. Broad St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Free parking is available at the southwest corner of Adams and Grace streets.

[Correction: A quote in this story originally read, "'I was at Six Burner under Philip Denny, Rogue while Aaron Hoskins was there,'" when in fact Oakes worked at The Rogue Gentlemen after Aaron Hoskins had left the restaurant. This piece has been updated to reflect this.]